It’s a cool evening in Tel Aviv, as thousands gather at a square in the city to demand that the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza be brought home immediately — “now!” as they keep chanting.
Many people in the crowd are holding Israeli flags and signs with photos of hostages.
“The hourglass is running out. Free the hostages now!” one sign reads.
Some attendees tell CNN they are demanding a ceasefire immediately in order to free more hostages – saying that they figure without a ceasefire, the more than 100 captives still in Gaza will not be brought back alive.
The evening’s mood is somber, with the crowd holding a moment of silence after yesterday’s news that three hostages were killed accidentally by Israeli soldiers.
“We can’t make any more mistakes,” said a former hostage at the gathering, Agam Goldstein, who is from the kibbutz Kfar Aza. She said she knew two of the hostages killed yesterday.
“Bring them back now. They are our hope, whatever is left of it,” she said.
There are dozens of speeches from family members of hostages, a recorded message from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and recorded statements from hostages who were freed in the previous truce. At one point, everyone in attendance holds their cellphone flashlight in the air as they sing the national anthem.
Former hostage Daniel Aloni also spoke at the rally, urging the Israeli government to agree on a hostage exchange deal with Hamas:
“I was there, my daughter was there. Every day that passes is a danger to their lives. Don’t abandon the hostages — we must act now. A deal is required now. Bring them home now!”
CNN
